Red Deer has a new and improved shelter for women and children fleeing domestic violence.
Clients and staff at Central Alberta Women's Emergency Shelter moved into the newly constructed building in mid-October, which replaces the old 40-bed shelter, and is the first phase of the society's expansion project.
With demolition of the old shelter also complete, construction can start on a Phase 2.
Phase 1 has 50 emergency beds, and 17 one-and-two bedroom, second-stage housing units where clients can continue to stay for six months to a year and access programming.
But for now only 40 emergency beds are available.
"We are still only funded for 40 emergency shelter beds so that's what we have opened," said executive director Danica Hoffart, who added that discussions with the province for more operational funding is ongoing.
"We are hopeful that for the 2025-2026 fiscal year they will fund us so that we can open to full capacity. There is definitely a need in Central Alberta."
She said the shelter was full during the first half of October. On Tuesday, 12 of the 16 funded suites are occupied, but beds can fill up fast.
"It’s not unusual for us to take in three new families in a single night shift."
The shelter serves a catchment area with a population of about 350,000, including Red Deer and communities around Central Alberta.
Hoffart said furnishings that could be repurposed from the old shelter were brought to the new building. But with more rooms to furnish in the new space, a $2-million fundraising campaign is underway to furnish and equip the new shelter so when operational funding is approved the entire space can be open to families.
Recently the society received $25,000 from Red Deer Twilight Homes Foundation for furnishings.
"We are moving towards that $2-million target, but we still have a fair way to go."
Phase 2 of the expansion project will have 23 affordable apartment units where women will be able to live for another year as they financially prepare to take on the full cost of market rents.
